Frog and Toad Together: Cookies
Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad Together. Illustrated by Arnold Lobel. Harper & Row, 1972. 64 pages.
In Arnold Lobel’s short story “Cookies” from Frog and Toad Together, Lobel employs his titular characters, Frog and Toad, to explore the definition of willpower versus desire through the relatable experience of trying to stop eating an addicting dessert.
Toad bakes cookies and races to his friend Frog’s house so they can enjoy his delicious creation together. After stuffing themselves with countless cookies, Frog declares that they need willpower to be able to stop eating. He defines willpower to Toad as “trying hard not to do something that you really want to do.” To exercise their willpower, they put the cookies in a box, tie a string around the box, and place it on a high shelf. However, Toad realizes that they are still able to eat the cookies if they take down the box and cut the string. As a result, Frog retrieves the cookies and feeds them to the birds. Even though they have no cookies left, Frog says they have “lots of willpower.” Indifferent, Toad announces he is going home to make a cake.
The themes of desire and restraint permeate Lobel’s text. While both characters’ stomachs are persuading them to keep eating, their minds remind them that illness will be the consequence of their overindulgence. Lobel emphasizes their internal struggle by repeating the sentence “Frog and Toad ate one last cookie,” an ironic statement because they continue to eat. The profession of “one last cookie” is something that parents can identify with because of the inner conflict of “one last” is universal.
“‘We must stop eating!’ cried Toad as he ate another.”
Lobel complements his writing with illustrations of Frog and Toad indulging and attempting to control their craving. As per his Frog and Toad series, the images are muted browns and greens. Therefore, rather than focusing on the vibrant colors or the unusual style of artwork like in other picture books, readers concentrate on the image being depicted in the art itself and the lovable characters, Frog and Toad.
The conflict between craving and self-control that Frog and Toad are confronted with is closely related to ethics, the branch of philosophy that deals with the distinction between right and wrong — if a distinction even exists. For many children, the right thing to do in this situation would be to continue eating the cookies. They value the experience of enjoying the dessert more than they fear being sick or unhealthy. Parents, on the other hand, most likely value their health and well-being over the inevitable sickness. For this reason, this excerpt is a fine way for parents to introduce the idea of values to children and prioritizing their wants and needs.